Hamlet, Prince of Denmark: A Novel

By: A. J. Hartley, David Hewson

Narrated by: Richard Armitage

Length: 9 hrs and 40 mins

Publisher's summary

It is a tale of ghosts, of madness, of revenge - of old alliances giving way to new intrigues. Denmark is changing, shaking off its medieval past. War with Norway is on the horizon. And Hamlet - son of the old king, nephew of the new - becomes increasingly entangled in a web of deception - and murder.

Struggling to find his place in this strange new order Hamlet tries to rekindle his relationship with Ophelia - the daughter of Elsinore’s cunning spy master, a man with plots of his own. Hamlet turns for advice and support to the one person he can trust -- Young Yorick, the slippery, unruly jester, whose father helped Hamlet through a difficult childhood. And all the while the armed forces of Fortinbras, prince of Norway, start to assemble, threatening to bring down Elsinore forever.

Beautifully performed by actor Richard Armitage ("Thorin Oakenshield" in the Hobbit films), Hamlet, Prince of Denmark takes Shakespeare’s original into unexpected realms, reinventing a story we thought we knew.

A. J. Hartley is the New York Times best-selling author of the Will Hawthorne fantasy series and several thrillers, as well as the Darwen Arkwright books for younger readers. He is the Russell Robinson Distinguished Professor of Shakespeare at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

David Hewson is the best-selling author of more than 20 novels, including the Nic Costa crime series and a trilogy of books based on the hit Danish television show The Killing. His most-recent novel, The House of Dolls, begins a new series set in Amsterdam.

Richard Armitage is known to movie audiences around the world as "Thorin Oakenshield" in the trilogy of films based on The Hobbit. Born in Leicester, England, and trained at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, Armitage has performed with the Royal Shakespeare Company, and created memorable roles on Robin Hood, North & South, and other British TV series.

©2014 A.J. Hartley, David Hewson (P)2014 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"It's a fresh, contemporary take on Shakespeare's tragedy, one not afraid to create new characters or cut long soliloquies. We get a noirish Hamlet, who, when asked by Laertes if he's ready to fence, blurts out: 'I've been ready all my life.'" ( Associated Press)

"English literature teachers worried about getting pupils entranced by Shakespeare should plug them in to this imaginative gloss on Hamlet before starting on the real thing. Hobbit-fanciers will rejoice to find that Richard “Thorin Oakenshield” Armitage is an outstandingly versatile narrator. This is the one of the most powerful listening experiences that I’ve had." ( The Times London)

"Armitage is amazing. He's more than a simple reader, showing himself as a gifted actor. He gives distinct life to each of the many characters in the tragedy, making it easy to follow the story. You can actually close your eyes and listen to the work and imagine the scenes unfolding, thanks to Armitage's acting skills." ( AudioFile)

A great novel on its own

Without the play, this would still be an excellent novel. The backstory is fleshed out and scenes are added that are only mentioned in the play or hinted at. It really brings a new depth to the story.

An Enthralling Version

I recently finished listening to Hamlet Prince of Denmark: A Novel written by A. J. Hartley & David Hewson. This is Hamlet told from a different perspective.

In the afterwards they discuss not only the various versions of Hamlet, both written by Shakespeare and previous to him, but also the possible inspiration for the play. Hamlet over the centuries has been portrayed as a dark adventure in some cases and, in others, as a maudlin tale rife with speeches from a tragic character.

Their retelling of the tale embraces more of the action oriented version of it. They also write the whole thing in modern English and abandon the format of the play altogether. Plays are not meant to be read, they are meant to be seen. This version reads like a very modern novel, rife with details that could never be included in a play simply due to the differing format of the two styles.

To top it off they got Richard Armitage to narrate the thing. His voice brings the whole thing to life in a way that might not have been wholly possible without him. He almost makes you believe that he could act so well as to cry tears upon command.

This is not Shakespeare's Hamlet. For the most part, though not wholly, they abandon his language altogether. This is not to imply there is anything wrong with Shakespeare's Hamlet. I personally find his prose both lyrical and beautiful. There are also some changes to the tale. The tale is still clearly recognizable as Hamlet, but 'tis just different enough to breath new life into it.

Conclusion: I personally find this version of Hamlet to be delightful and feel it adds depth to the Shakespearean version. I can see some hard core Shakespeare fans, however, despising such changes as anathema to all they hold dear. With that in mind I would recommend this to anyone, save that group who views Shakespeare's words as both sacred and immutable. For anyone else, I think this is a thoroughly enthralling version of Hamlet.

This was great!

Glad I picked it up. very well performed. The story was very vivid and I enjoyed it more than just reading the play.

Fantastic Interpretation and Heartfelt Performance

It reads like a thriller. The author remains faithful to the themes of Hamlet without getting hung up on the language. It’s accessible, entertaining, and thought provoking. The interpretation of Yorick was a fresh approach. The reader masterfully handles the voices of the many characters. I’m so happy I gave it a try!

loved it!

engaging story line, great performance. the way the writers added to the story keeps you guessing about the main character (i don't want to give any spoilers, just listen or read it!) and refreshes an old story. came here for Richard Armitage, stayed for the really wonderful reading of a truely great book.

Shakespeare, but not as you know it.

I’ve always struggled with the stories that I know I should read/watch/go see. The classics. I couldn’t get past the barriers that turned my brain to mush at the first soliloquy.
Enter the sublime marriage of Richard Armitage reading this reimagined version of Hamlet, a thriller by Hartley and Hewson.
Listen to it. You’ll be riveted.

Great Novel of Shakespeares Best Play

This is a great novel of Shakespeare's best play. The authors fill in the gaps in the play especially with Ophelia. I highly recommend the book.

Wonderful

Would reread again and again. I loved Richard’s performance. I love how it falls under a thriller instead of Freudian analysis. This was a delight to listen to from beginning to the end.

A Great Retelling

A great novelization of the story known as Hamlet. Well worth listening to. Highly recommend, unless you are listening for an actual Shakespearean course.

An extremely well done interpretation

Would you listen to Hamlet, Prince of Denmark: A Novel again? Why?

Absolutely...I already have because as with Shakespeare, I feel one listening is never enough and discover new layers of meaning in each hearing. I also can never hear enough of Mr. Armitage's beautiful voice and wonderful characterizations. I love that the authors never make any clear delineation about the questions of Hamlet's madness or dream state, but add new layers and explanations for some of the characters behavior in the play. I also love hearing the famous speeches in their interpretation.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Ophelia for her layers of depth and love for Hamlet; she seems the only truly compassionate character in the book.

What does Richard Armitage bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

That voice. I would rate his reading talent and his baritone voice in the same league as Alan Rickman, Jeremy Irons and Derek Jacobi. I have heard Mr. Armitage read the Lords of the North, and found his Danish and Saxon accents, characterizations and unique approach to each absolutely brilliant. This really worked well in this book as well when he reads the character of Fortinbras and the mercenary Scots he employs. He has narrated many other audiobooks and I truly hope he continues to do so, as I will always buy his work.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

You thought you knew Hamlet...

Any additional comments?

More from the authors and narrator please!! Looking forward to hearing MacBeth now that I have heard this!